37. LUCIE RIE (1902-1995), An exceptional collection of 23 ceramic buttons
late 1940’s, various sizes

Before the war the Bimini workshops in Vienna had designed and made blown glass and furniture. Fritz Lampl, one of the trade partners, moved to London, became a button-maker to the fashion trade, and taught a number of other refugees, including Lucie Rie, to press glass buttons. In 1945 she began to design and make ceramic buttons for this new Bimini in her workshop. She also designed and made ceramic jewellery and mirrors. In 1946 Hans Coper became her assistant at this work.